Slider for slide fasteners



Jan. 13, 1959 K. J. STALLER EIAL 2,867,877

SLIDER FOR SLI DE FASTENERS Filed NOV. 20, 1953 2 5119613951199? 1 I 1 Will 2 A are/ Jaw Jazz/er 1,111 2. Jz ec Jan. 13, 1959 J, sTALLER ETAL 2,867,877

SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed Nov. 20, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f if Patented Jan. 13, 1959 SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Karel Jan Staller, Fairborn, Ohio, and Emil F. Svec, New York, N. Y., asslgnors to Flexigrip Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 20, 1953, Serial No. 393,352 4 Claims. (Cl. 24-201) This invention relates to a slider for slide fasteners and more particularly to a slider so constructed as to engage and disengage slide fastener members with minimum friction and binding action between the slider and the slide fastener members. 7

The slider of this invention constitutes an improvement over the slider disclosed in our copending application entitled Slider for Slide Fasteners, filed February 8, 1952, U. S. Serial No. 270,682, now Patent No. 2,736,079 issued February 28, 1956, and is ofthe type having slots in opposite sides thereof for receiving overlapping r'nargi-* nal portions of a pair of flexible slide fastener members, the slots defining therebetween a connecting bridge having convergent surfaces for wedging between and disengaging the marginal portions of the slide fastener members.

The overlapping marginal portions of the slide fastener members may have alternate elongated channels and projections which interlock when the, marginal portions of the two flexible members are pressed together, or they may have 'interlockable projections spaced therealong. The principles of this invention may also be applied to other types of slide fasteners.

It has been discovered that in order to engage and disengage the slide fastener members with minimum friction and binding action between the slider and the slide fastener members, the retarding forces exerted between the slider and the slide fastener members should'be balanced with respect to the actuating force applied to the slider in a manner such that there is no tendency to tilt the slider about a tranverse axis. covered that in order to avoid such tilting of the slider, the actuating force applied to the slider in rearward movement thereof,'in which movement the rearward portion of the bridge wedges between and separates the marginal edges of the slide fastener members, should be applied as far rearwardly of the bridge as possible while It has further been disin the forward movement of the slider, the actuating force should be applied as far forwardly as possible.

According to an important feature of the invention, therefore, the actuating means for the slider is arranged to act at a point spaced forwardly from the rearward end portion of the bridge to move the slider in the forward direction and is arranged to act at a point spaced rearwardly from the rearward end portion of the bridge to move the slider in the rearward direction.

Another discovery on which the present invention is based is that tilting of the slider may be minimized by applying the rearward actuating force along a line which bisects the angle between the converging surfaces of the bridge. In the symmetrically constructed sliders heretofore employed such as, for example, the slider disclosed in our above identified copending application, a line bisecting the angle between the converging surfaces of the bridge is approximately parallel to and midway between the oppositely facing outer surfaces of the marginal edge portions of the slide fastener members. It is, of course, impossible to apply a force along such a line.

According to another highly important feature of this invention, one of the convergent surfaces of the bridge is inclined at a greater angle to the path of travel of the slider than the other of the convergent surfaces, so that a line bisecting the angle between the convergent surfaces is at an angle to the path of travel of the slider and it is possible to apply an actuating force approximately along such a line. The actuating means should, as will be appreciated, act on the side of the slider which is adjacent the convergent surface of the bridge having a lesser angle of inclination relative to the the slider.

A further discovery on which the present invention is based relates to the application of forces in the forward movement of the slider. course, facing convergent surfaces engage oppositely facing surfaces of the marginal edge portions of the slide fastener member to urge the marginal portions into interlocking engagement. In sliders of symmetrical design heretofore used, such as, for example, the slider disclosed in our above-identified copending application, the facing convergent surfaces are at the same angle to the path of travel of the slider. In order to prevent tilting movement of the slider with such symmetrical constructions,

path of travel of the forward actuating force should be applied along aline parallel to and midway between the oppositely facing surfaces of the marginal edge portions of the slide fastener members. It would not be possible to apply a force in such a direction using actuating means located on only one side of the slider.

According to this invention, one of the facing con-' invention, the

feature in which one of the convergent surfaces of the bridge is at a greater angle to the path of travel of the slider than the other and the feature in which one of the facing convergent surfaces of the slider is at a greater angle to the path of travel of the slider than the other are combined in a single slider so that the tendency of the slider to tilt will be minimized in both the forward and readward travel thereof. With this feature, also, both the bridge and the convergent facing surfaces may be defined by slots extending inwardly from opposite sides of the sliderv with the facing convergent surfaces and the opposed convergent surfaces of the bridge in complementary relation.

Most preferably, the surfaces having the lesser inclination to the path of travel of the slider maybe straight and at no inclination to the path of travel, but parallel thereto, so that one of the slots may be straight while the other is curved. With this feature, of course, the manufacture of the slider is greatly simplified.

In conjunction with the feature in which one of each pair of convergent surfaces is at a greater angle to the path of travel of the slider than the other, the actuating means is preferably arranged to act at a point spaced forwardly from the rearward end portion of the bridge.

to move the slider in the forward direction and is arranged to act at a point spacedrearwardly from the rearward end portion of the bridge to move the slider in the rearward direction. With this combination, an actual balance between the actuating forces applied to the slider and the retarding forces arising from inner engagement of the slider with the slide fastener members can be achieved In the forward movement, of

so that there is no tendency of the slider to tilt in either the forward or rearward movements thereof.

The facing convergent surfaces arranged to force the marginal edge portions of the slide fastener members into; interlocking engagement on forward movementofi the: slider preferably have rearward end portions spaced trans; versely to the direction of travel of the slider a distance, equal to the distance between the oppositely facing sur faces of the marginal edge portions when they are in,

interlocked relation, so asto insure such interlocking engagement of the marginaledge portions.- According-to a further important feature of the invention, the rearwardend portion of one of the convergent facing surfaces is This, in.itself,,

spaced forwardly relative to the other; promotes a tilting tendencyof the slider which may be counteracted by locatingthe actuating means on theside of the slider opposite, the. surface having the forwardly disposed rearward end portion, so that the end effect. is

that the slider is not tiltedwhen actuated in the forwarddirection.

"This forwardspacing of the, rearward end. portionof one, of the convergent surfaces may be utilized alone. to produce an appropriate tilting tendency of the slider or itmay be used in conjunction with the feature in which one of the facing convergent surfaces is at a greater angle to: the ,path of travel of the slider than the other. Most preferably, a ..combination of the two features is employed.

In accordance with a. still further important feature.

ofthe invention, at least one and preferably both surfaces. of the bridge are concave so as to tend to center the marginal edge portions of the slide fastener members in. the slider and to resist any tendency of the slide fastener members to move laterally relative to the slider- ;A still furtherfeature of theinvention-is. in making. therearward edge of thexbridge concave by which feature the. bridge isflheavier at the point of connection thereto disengagement of the marginal edge portions of slide fastener members with minimum friction and binding action between the slider and such marginal portions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved slider for slide fasteners which is simple, compact and readily constructed and yet strong, durable and highly efiicient in operation:

A more specific object ,of the present invention is to i provide an improved slider including actuating means wedgingbetweenand separating the ;marginal edgeportions. of. therfiexible slide fastener members.

A. stiILfurther specific objectjof this'inventionis to;

provide-improvedactuating-meansi-for aslider for slide fasteners and an improved connection between such actuatingmeans and the slider.

This invention contemplates other objects, features and advantages which will become more fully apparent from the. following detailedv description; taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments and in which:

toltheportionsof; the sliderxon opposite sides of the bridge. 7

Bygthis feature; accordingly, the, bridge may bestronger without necessitating any increase in the thickness thereof or any increase in the angle between the converging surfaces thereon and, conversely, the angle between the converging surfaces .and/or the thickness of the bridge may be, decreased Without decreasing the strength of the bridge.

:In one preferred embodiment, the actuating means for the slider may comprisea handle having spaced parallel legs with the terminal, ends of the legs turned inwardly and engagedin slotsgat opposite sides of the slider for sliding movement betweenipoints spaced rearwardly and forwardly of the rearward edgetof the bridge. alternative, a link may, be pivotally, secured ;to a handle with the link having spacedparallel legs with the terminal ends of the legs'turned inwardly and engaged in slots in opposite sidesof the slider.-,

As an In another preferred embodiment of the-actuating;

means, the in-turned ends-of the legs;of the handle, or of a linksuch as described above, may be engaged in the same slots in which the overlapping marginalportions ofthe 'slide fastener members extend, the slotsbeing suit; ably enlarged at the .sides 'of-thesliderf0r this purpose;

With this construction, the formationrof the slider-is;

simplified since no specialorauxiliary slots are required for the actuating means;

Further, this construction has the advantage in that the actuating means acts atpoints;

very close to the surfacesvof the slidefastener members so that only slight tilting tendencies are producedby the;

actuating means and the angles ofinclination-of the convergent surfaces of the slider-and/or the forward spacing of the rearward end portion of one facingv convergentsurface relative to the other may beat azminimum and yet balance such a slight tiltingltendency, thereby to achieve smooth operation of the slider.

An object of'this' invention, accordingiy-; is to provide; an improved slider for effecting smooth engagement-and through-another preferred form of slider constructed ac-.;

cording to the principles ofthisinvention;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal verticalsectional viewof still another preferred formof slider constructed according to the principles of this invention; and

Figure 6- is. a transverse vertical sectional view taken.-

substantially along lines VI--VI' of Figure 5.

Reference numeral 10 generally designates'one preferred'form of slider constructed accordingto'the principles-of this invention. The slider10 is particularly-- adapted for use with a slide fastener comprising a pair of flexible members 11 and 12 having respectively overlapping marginal portions 13 and 14 which may bepro vided with alternate longitudinal channels, 15 andrribs 16 whichinterlock to secure the marginal'edge portions 13. and I l-together, when they are pressed intoengagement.

It will, ofcourse, be understood that'the slider 10 may i be used to engage and disengage otherv types of slidefas-: teners including, for example, slide: fasteners comprising flexible members. having interlocking projections: spaced longitudinally along overlapping marginal .portions'there- The slider 10 is arranged .to move longitudinally along the marginal portions 13 and 14to engage the sameswhen moved in a forward direction-(to theright in Figure l)v and to disengage the same when moved in..axrearward direction (to the left in Figure l). The slider- 10 -is1provided with slots 17 and 18 in opposite sides thereof'whichmay be internally enlarged to interlockingly receive the overlapping marginal portions 13 and. 14 of the illustrated slide fastener which are thicker than the adjoiningportions of the flexibletslide fastener members 11 and,;12.

The slots 17 and 18 are coextensive at therearward end of the slider 10 but-at the forwardend oftheslider 10 they define therebetween a connecting bridge19 which in operation is positioned betweenthe.overlapping marginal portions 13 and 14.

20 and 21- convergingtdthe tiearwardnedgez 22 therecfiand arranged to wedge between and separate the marginal portions 13 and 14 when the slider is moved in a rearward direction (to the left in Figure 1).

For engaging the marginal portions 13 and 14, the slots 17 and 18 have facing convergent surfaces 23 and 24 for camming the marginal portions 13 and 14 into engagement when the slider is moved in a forward direction (to the right in Figure 1). To insure interlocking engagement between the marginal portions 13 and 14, the facing convergent surfaces 23 and 24 have rearward end portions 25 and 26, respectively, which are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the oppositely facing surfaces of the marginal edge portions 13 and 14 when they are in interlocked relation, it being understood that the term equal as used herein means approximately or substantially equal.

It has been discovered that the slider 19 will engage and disengage the marginal portions 13 and 14 most smoothly and with minimum actuating force when the slider is not tilted about a transverse axis so as to minimize frictional and binding engagement between the slider and the slide fastener members.

According to this invention, the tendency of the slider to tilt is minimized by the provision of actuating means acting at a point spaced rearwardly of the rearward edge 22 of the bridge when the slider is actuated in a rearward direction and acting at a point spaced forwardly of the rearward edge 22 of the bridge when the slider is actuated in a forward direction. erably take the form of a handle 27 having parallel leg portions 28 and 29, the terminal ends of the leg portions 28 and 29 being turned inwardly at 30 and 31 and engaged in slots32 and 33 in the opposite sides of the body of the slider 10. The slots 32 and 33 are preferably straight and extend longitudinally between points spaced forwardly and-rearwardly of the rearward edge 22 of the bridge 19.

It has been further discovered that the tendency of the slider to tilt about a transverse axis is minimized when the rearward actuating force is applied as nearly as possible along a line bisecting the angle between the convergent surfaces of the bridge. In symmetrically constructed sliders previously used such as, for example, the slider disclosed in our copending application entitled Slider for Slide Fasteners, filed February 8, 1952, U. S. Serial No. 270,682, the line bisecting the angle between the convergent surfaces of the bridge is parallel to and midway between the oppositely facing surfaces of the marginal edge portions of the slide fastener members and it is not physically possible to exert a force along such a line, unless the actuating means act on both sides of the slider with the forces applied to the actuating means being balanced. An actuating means operating on both sides of the slider would, of course, be undesirable in almost every practical application.

According to this invention, one of the convergent surfaces of the bridge, in this case the surface 21, is inclined at a greater angle to the path of travel of the slider than the other surface, in this case the surface 20, and the actuating means acts on the side of the slider adjacent the other of the surfaces 20. With this asymmetrical disosition of the surfaces, the effect of the engagement between the surfaces and the marginal edge portions 13 and 14 of the slide fastener members 11 and 12 is to tend to tilt the slider 19 about a transverse axis when the slider is moved in a rearward direction. This effect is, however, balanced by the actuating means which because it is located on one side of the slider tends to tilt the slider in a reverse direction. Accordingly, the tendency of the slider to tilt when moved mized. v 1

It has also been discovered that with symmetrically constructed sliders, in which the facing convergent surface vfor engaging the slide fastener members are disposed at equal inclinations through the path of travel of in a rearward direction is mini- This actuating means may prefslider. This is not physically possible unless actuating means are disposed on both sides of the slider and such would, of course, be undesirable in most practical appli-.

cations. I

According to thi invention, one of the convergent facing surfaces of the slider, in this case the surface 23, is disposed at a greater angle to the path of travel of the slider than the facing convergent surface, in this case the surface 24, and the actuating means is disposed on the side of the slider opposite the surface 23 having the greater inclination to the path of travel of the slider. In operation, when the slider is moved in a forward direction, the effect of the engagement between the surface 23 and the marginal edge portion 14 is to tend to tilt the slider about a transverse axis (in a clockwise direction in Figure 1). This effect is balanced by the actuating handle 27 which, being located on only one side of the slider, tends to tilt the slider in a reverse direction (counter-clockwise in Figure l).

The feature in which the surfaces 21 and 23 are at greater angles to the path of travel of the slider than the surfaces 20 and 24 may preferably be combined in the manner as illustrated with the surfaces 21 and 23 and with the surfaces 2% and 24 being complementary. Most preferably, the surfaces 20 and 24 may be straight with only the surfaces 21 and 23 curved, the surfaces 29 and 24 then being parallel to the path of travel. of the slider 19. This, of course, simplifies the construction of the slider and it also simplifies the connection between the slider and the actuating means 27, since the slots 32 and i 33 may then be parallel with the surfaces 20 and 24-.

Further, it may be noted that with a straight and curved formation of the slots 17 and 18 as illustrated, only the marginal edge portion 14 is deformed on forward and rearward movement of the slider. Accordingly, the marginal portion 13 may be relatively rigid which may be desirable in many applications.

According to a further important feature of the invention, at least one and preferably both surfaces 20 and 21 of the bridge 19 are concave about axes parallel to the path of movement of the slider, as illustrated best in Figure 3, so as to resist lateral displacement of the marginal portions 13 audits relative to the slider and so as to tend to center the slider relative to the marginal portions 13 and 14. The provision of such concave surfaces has a further advantage in that the bridge more securely con nects the opposite portions of the slider without increasing the Weight thereof and without increasing the effective operative thickness of the bridge. bridge may be made thinner without decreasing the itrength thereof by the provisionof such concave suraces.

bridge as thin a possible commensurate with strength requirements, since the rearward actuating force is directly dependent upon the thickness of the bridge.

At its forward end portion, the bridge 19 preferably- According to a further feature of the inventiorn the rearward edge 22 of the bridge 19 may be concave'as illustrated in Figure 2 so as to be heavier at points 39 and 4% where it connects the opposite portions of the slider so that the thickness of the bridge and the angle between the converging surfaces thereof may be decreased without decreasing the strength thereof or, conversely, the

Conversely, the

It is, of course, highly desirable to have the-- connecting bridge maybe stronger without increasing the thickness thereofor the angle between the converging sur-- by 1 making the converging surfaces '20 and 21 concave,

the forward edge22 will naturally: be concave.

In Figure 4, reference numera1=41 generally designates another.- preferred form ofslider constructed according tothe principles of this inventionwhich may comprise a bridge42'similar to the -bridge-19-of.the slider abovedescribed and a handle 43-" similar to the handle 27 in.

theslider 10 above described "and connected to the slider body in a similar'manner.

In the slider 41- facing; convergent surfaces 44 and 45 which have rearward end portions 46and 47, respectively, spaced-in a direction transverse to the direction of moveinent of the slider, a-distance equal to the distance between the oppositely facing surfaces ofthe marginal portions of the slide fastener members when they are in interlocked relation, it being understood 4 that the term equaPas-used herein means substantially or approximately equal.

Accordingto this invention, one of the rearward end portions, in this case the rearward'end portion 47, is spaced forwardly from the other rearward end portion, intthis case the rearward end portion 46. This structure produces a force tendingiutilt the slider about a transverse axis as it is moved in a forward direction which force maybe balanced by the actuating means located on the: side-of the slider opposite the forwardly spaced rearward end portion 47. Thisfeature-may be used inconjunction with a slider which is otherwise symmetrically constructed but is preferably employed withan asymmetricaldesignas illustrated in which the surface 45 is in clined at-a greater angle than the-surface 44 relative to. the path of travelof the slider. With a combination of" the two features, the angle of inclination of the. surface 45 need not be as great as otherwise so that the slider 'may be operated. with less forward actuating force.

In Figures 5 and 6, reference numeral 43 generally deslgnates another preferred form of slider embodying fur-,

ther features of the present invention. The slider 48. is"

provided with slots 49 and 50 extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof and internally enlarged to receive overlapping marginal portions 51 and 52'of flexible slide fastener members 53 and 54, the slots 49 and 50 defining therebetween a bridge 55 similar to the bridge 19 of the slider'10 above described and having surfaces 56 and 57,

preferably concave, converging'to a rearward edge 5Sv which is also preferablyconcave; The slots 49 and 50 also define facing convergent surfaces 59 and 60 which may preferably haverearward end portions 61 and 62, rejspectively spacedapart in 'a'direction transverse to'the direction of travel oftheslider'a distance equal to the distance between the oppositely facing surfaces of the overlapping interlockable marginal portions 51 and 52 with the rearward edge'portio-n 62 spaced forwardly from therearward edge portion 61, thisconstruction being like that described above in connection with Figure 4.

According to a furtherimportant feature of the inven tion, the actuating means-for the slider 48 comprises a handle member 63 which is formed to provide a suitable aperture 64 for pivotally receiving a bight portion 65 of a generally U-shaped link member-66 having generally parallel leg portions 67 and 68'which, in turn, have inwardly turned terminal end portions 69 and 70, respectively. The-link member 66 is-movable longitudinally relative to the slider between points spaced forwardly and rearwardly of the rearwardedge portion-58 of the bridge 55 so asto minimizetilting'of the slider 48'. The actuating means of the slider 48,:as thus far described, has a distinct advantage. over,that illustratedand described in con junction: wi h the lid r-lent figures: 113 v bflcflusecthelfir is considerably less tendency for the operator of'the slider-- to attempt-to effect tilting-action of the slider in operation.

thereof. However, it might be notedthat the actuating" means of the slider 10 -as-above described'has' the-advantage of being simpler to construct-and if the slider is not preferably balanced, the operator, if skillful, can counter balance any tilting tendency by appropriate handling of the actuating means.

'According to-a further feature ofv the invention, the inturned-ends 69 and 70' are engaged in the slots 49 and-50* which receive the marginal edge portions-51 and 520i the flexible slide fastener members 53 and 54, the slots" 49 and 50 being suitably enlarged at the sides of thesliderforthis purpose. The upper edge of the slot 50.1nay-be" parallel to theupper'edg'e ofthe-slot 49 but preferably-is curved toward parallel relation to the surfaces 57, 60.

This construction has the distinct advantage of simtendency arising from the-actuating means.

It will be apparent that the handle 27 might be used in conjunction with the slider 48in place of the handle 63 and the link'member 66- with the in-turned ends 30 and 31 engaged in the slots 49 and 50.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spiritand' scope of the. novel concepts ofthe present invention.

Weclaimasour invention:

l. A slider having a straight slot and a curved slot in opposite sides" thereof defining therebetweena connecting:- bridge having concave surfaces respectively parallel to said straight and curved slots andconverging to a concave rearward edge; therearward end portion or said curVed slot being spaced forwardly from the rearward end 'portion of said straight slot, a handle on thesame'side' of the slider as said'straieht slot, and a link pivotally connected to said handle and having ends'proiecting into-said slots for sliding movement between pointsspaced forwardly and rearwardly of-said rearward edge of said bridge;

2. In a slider for a pair of flexible slide fastener mem-'-- bers with overlapping marginal portions havin upstand ing interlockable projections therealong, a bridge positioned between said marginalportions and having con--- vergent surfaces for wedging between and separating said marginal portions, one of said surfaces being parallel to the path of travel of the slider along said marginalpor- .tions, and actuating means acting at the side-ofts'aid slideradjacent said one of said surfaces.

3. In a slider for a pair of flexible slide fastener'memberswith overlapping'marginalportions having upstand inginterlockable projections 'therealong, rneans'for guid--' ing said marginal portions into interlocking engagement on forward movement of the slider therealong, a bridge positioned between said marginal portions and including a rearward end portion having convergent surfaces forwedging between and separating said marginal portionson rearward movement of said slider, one of said 's'urfaces being inclined at.a greater angle to the path of travel of the slider along said marginal portions than the other of? said surfaces, and actuating means at the side of said slider adjacent said other of said surfaces and arranged to act at a point spaced forwardly from said rearwardend portion of said bridge to move the slider in the forward direction and at a point s aced rearwardly from said rearward end portion of said'bridge to move the slider'in' a rearward direction.

4. In a slider for a pair of flexible slide fastener mem bers with overlapping marginal portions having upstand-" ing interlockable projections therealong; means for-guiding said marginal portionsinto interlockingengagement on-forward movement ofthe slider therealong comprisingw ,facingprsurfacemwconverging ato arearwarda: end; portions? spaced transversely to the direction of travel of the slider a distance equal to the distance between the oppositely facing surfaces of said marginal edge portions when they are in interlocked relation, one of said rearward end portions being spaced forwardly relative to the other, and actuating means on the side of the slider opposite said one of said rearward end portions.

1,480,027 Statham Jan. 8, 1924 10 Y Sundback Dec. 22, 1925 Sipe Oct. 3, 1933 Wahl Dec. 1, 1942 Goldstein Aug. 8, 1944 Madsen Oct. 14, 1952 Macy Mar. 3, 1953 Jaster Sept. 22, 1953 Porn: May 4, 1954 

